Calif. megachurch cutting back

by Gillian Flaccus - Jan. 30, 2010 12:00 AMAssociated Press

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. - The Southern California Crystal Cathedral megachurch founded by televangelist Robert Schuller Sr. is selling property, laying off workers and pulling its signature TV program "Hour of Power" from some markets to offset a nearly $8 million drop in revenue.

The church saw revenue drop 27 percent, from roughly $30 million in 2008 to $22 million in 2009, church spokesman Mike Nason told the Associated Press. The church had projected an 18 percent revenue drop.

Church leaders blamed the decline on the struggling U.S. economy. They intend to save $4.9 million by selling 170 acres in southern Orange County, including a retreat and wedding center; laying off 50 employees; and cutting "Hour of Power" from eight of the 45 domestic broadcast TV stations that air it.

Church officials declined to identify the cities where the program would be cut because station managers have not yet been notified.

The 10,000-member church will also cancel this year's "Glory of Easter" pageant, which attracts thousands of visitors and is a regional holiday staple along with the church's "Glory of Christmas" show.

"If we can just hang in there and be smart about surviving the downturn in the economy, this storm will pass and we will be OK and we can begin to grow again as a ministry," Sheila Schuller Coleman, Schuller's daughter and the church's recently appointed leader, said in a prepared statement.

The disclosure mirrors the troubles in recent months at other megachurches that have suffered from the downturn and reduced charitable giving.